Enchanting Christmas Markets with European Gems

Be met on arrival in Berlin and transfer to your hotel. This evening get to know your Tour Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.

Today, discover the vibrant city of Berlin on a guided sightseeing tour. Marvel at the iconic Brandenburg Gate and stroll along the historic Unter den Linden boulevard in the central Mitte district. Continue to bustling Alexanderplatz, then visit a preserved section of the Berlin Wall. Delve into the city’s Cold War history at Checkpoint Charlie, the former crossing point between East and West Germany, and its museum.

Travel to Dresden and visit the Striezelmarkt, Germany’s oldest Christmas market. Continue on to the historic spa town of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. On arrival, visit the Christmas house, where beautifully decorated rooms, handcrafted ornaments and year-round festive displays celebrate Christmas traditions from around the world. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Enjoy a tour of Karlovy Vary today. Ride the historic funicular for panoramic views over the colonnades and river valley, discover the city’s renowned Bohemian craftsmanship at a glass museum, and then enjoy free time to soak up the atmosphere of the Christmas market, with its local treats, festive stalls and twinkling lights.

This morning, travel to Munich, Germany. On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. This evening, you may wish to join an optional Bavarian dinner.

Enhance Your Journey – Bavarian Dinner

Enjoy an authentic Bavarian dining experience at a traditional Munich restaurant. Set in classic surroundings, the evening features hearty regional specialities and warm Bavarian hospitality.

Begin your day with a guided tour of Munich’s highlights, followed by a visit to the Bavarian National Museum to view its renowned collection of traditional nativity scenes. The afternoon is yours at leisure to explore Munich’s atmospheric Christmas markets.

Head to Salzburg today, stopping en route for a festive Insider Experience. Upon arriving in Salzburg, enjoy a city tour, followed by free time at the Christmas market before dinner at a local restaurant.

Insider Experience – Silent Night Chapel

Visit the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf, built on the site of the former Nikolauskirche church where the carol Silent Night was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818.

Travel from from Salzburg for your Insider Experience today.

Insider Experience – Ramsau Excursion

Enjoy a full-day excursion into the Bavarian Alps, beginning with a visit to the picture-perfect village of Ramsau, renowned for its alpine scenery and the iconic Church of St Sebastian. Continue to Berchtesgaden for a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic area, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. The day concludes with a memorable cruise across the Königssee, gliding between towering mountain walls and crystal-clear waters in one of Germany’s most spectacular natural settings.

Travel from Salzburg to Ljubljana, crossing into Slovenia along the way. Pause for a scenic stop at idyllic Lake Bled, renowned for its emerald waters and lakeside promenade beneath the Julian Alps, before continuing to the Slovenian capital.

Enjoy a guided city tour of Ljubljana, exploring the charming old town with its riverside setting, historic squares and distinctive architecture. The tour includes a visit to Ljubljana Castle, perched above the city, where you can take in panoramic views over the capital and surrounding countryside. The afternoon is at leisure, perhaps to visit Ljubljana’s festive Christmas market. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

This morning, travel by coach to Budapest. On arrival, embark your river ship. This evening, meet your Cruise Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.

Awake to views of one of the Danube’s most enchanting cities this morning. Disembark and discover Budapest’s vibrant history on a guided tour featuring many of its most impressive sights. Back on board this evening, enjoy a Gala Welcome Dinner as you cruise.

Insider Experience – Hungarian State Opera Performance

Visit the Hungarian State Opera for a guided tour, then enjoy a glass of sparkling wine while a private opera recital is performed.

On arrival in the city centre, join a walking tour taking in highlights such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Graben and the Hofburg. Later, explore the vibrant Naschmarkt at leisure.

With the day at leisure, perhaps explore the Hofburg district or wander along Kärntner Straße, the city’s famous shopping boulevard. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Schloss Hof or travel to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital. This evening, you may wish to attend an optional concert.

Enhance Your Journey – Schloss Hof and Lipizzaner Experience

Enjoy a guided tour of the Schloss Hof estate, once the residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy and later Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Explore the resplendent palace apartments adorned with exquisite textiles and glass chandeliers, before strolling through the Baroque gardens. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour of the stables, where you’ll encounter the magnificent Lipizzaner horses up close. Learn what makes these noble horses so special through insights into their breeding, care and training, before witnessing an exclusive performance that showcases their remarkable grace and discipline.

Enhance Your Journey – Visit Bratislava in Slovakia

Visit Bratislava, a charming city where medieval, Baroque and communist-era architecture meet. See landmarks such as the UFO Bridge and the distinctive Slovak Radio Building, each reflecting the city’s intriguing past.

Enhance Your Journey – Mozart and Strauss Concert

Attend a Mozart and Strauss concert in one of Vienna’s historic palaces or concert halls, followed by an evening drive along the Ringstrasse.

Cruise to Dürnstein, a charming town overlooked by the hilltop ruins of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in the 12th century. Spend the morning wandering its cobbled streets, historic townhouses and inviting taverns, or perhaps join an optional tasting of the region’s renowned wines. Later, sail through the scenic Wachau Valley to Melk, where you’ll tour its magnificent abbey, a Benedictine monastery in continuous operation since 1089.

Today, you may choose to join an optional excursion to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic or visit Salzburg. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing day sailing to Passau.

Insider Experience – Bavarian Evening on Board

This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian celebration on board, sampling local beer and snacks accompanied by folk music, song and dance.

Enhance Your Journey – Český Krumlov

Enjoy a full-day excursion to Český Krumlov, a beautifully preserved town in the Czech Republic, home to more than 300 historic buildings.

Enhance Your Journey – Salzburg Sights

Travel through Austria’s scenic countryside to Mondsee, where you may recognise the famous wedding church from The Sound of Music. Continue to Salzburg for a guided tour of Mozart’s hometown, followed by free time to explore before returning to your ship.

Continue along the Danube to Regensburg, in the Bavarian region of southern Germany. Join a guided tour through its historic streets, discovering medieval architecture and cultural landmarks.

Arrive in Nuremberg, once the setting for Hitler’s infamous rallies during World War II. This afternoon, take a city tour including sites such as the Zeppelin Field and the Palace of Justice.

Discover Bamberg, one of the few German cities largely spared destruction during World War II. Join a locally guided tour of its historic centre, taking in sights such as the old town hall and Bamberg Cathedral, followed by free time to explore at your leisure.

Surrounded by lush hills and vineyards, Würzburg is home to the magnificent Baroque Würzburg Residence. Tour the palace and stroll through the Court Gardens before perhaps choosing an optional visit to Rothenburg, a charming medieval town along the Romantic Road.

Enhance Your Journey – Medieval Rothenburg Tour

Depart from Würzburg for an excursion to Rothenburg, a beautifully preserved walled town on the Romantic Road in Franconia.

Enjoy time at leisure to discover Miltenberg today, exploring this well-preserved town and its half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. Return to your ship and, as evening falls, watch the lights of medieval towns drift past during your overnight cruise.

In Rüdesheim, ride the Winzerexpress mini train to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Later, back on board, enjoy spectacular scenery as you cruise through the Rhine Gorge.

Learn how the twin spires of Cologne’s famous cathedral, the Kölner Dom, took over six centuries to complete as you cruise into this picturesque city. Disembark and take a short drive to Brühl for your Insider Experience.

Insider Experience – Augustusburg Palace in Germany

Explore the former residence of Archbishop-Elector Clemens August of Bavaria, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Augustusburg Palace in Brühl. Hear fascinating stories and stroll through the landscaped parks and gardens linking the palace and the Falkenlust hunting lodge. Together, they represent some of the finest examples of 18th-century Rococo architecture in Germany.

Amsterdam’s network of canals is a sight to behold. Board a glass-top boat for a scenic cruise, then enjoy free time ashore before a Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

After breakfast, disembark your river ship and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.